Dear friends,

We, together with friends and partners around the world, were shocked to learn about the horrendous acts of antisemitism, racism, bigotry and violence which took place in Charlottesville last weekend. On behalf of the entire staff, lay leadership and congregational members of the Israel Reform Movement, we sent our friends in Charlottesville the following message.

On behalf of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), we want to express our deep sorrow and distress by the events which took place in Charlottesville over the past weekend. Together with you, we are shocked and horrified by the rise of antisemitism, racism and bigotry in America. We are committed to working with you and all of our Jewish sisters and brothers all across the United States in ridding this horrendous acts of hatred from our midst. Know that we stand with you in solidarity and are here to lend a helping hand.

In these times of distress, we pray that we will know how to channel our anger not in the way of Amalek, but rather follow the ways of some of our greatest teachers and rabbis. In the spirit of Tisha b’Av, which we marked just two weeks ago, and further in the spirit of love of Tu b’Av, may we internalize the words of Rabbi Kook: “and if we were destroyed and our world was destroyed over blind hatred, may we rebuild and may our world be rebuilt by blind love.”

The IMPJ deputy-chair for Financial Affairs, Adv. Yair Lootsteen, spent time with his family in Charlottesville almost 20 years ago. Therefore, when he heard what had happened, it hit close to home. Yair sent a most moving
letter to members of the Charlottesville. In it, he shared these moving words: “”כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה”. “All of Israel is responsible for one another”. Easier said than done when we are thousands of miles apart. But please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your congregants during these difficult times, as they are with all good people of Charlottesville. We pray for your safety and for a speedy return of calm and tranquility. “יְהִי שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ שַׁלְוָה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָיִך”ְ. ” Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces”.

Yours in solidarity,

Rabbi Gilad Kariv- President and CEO of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism

Reuven Marko- Chairperson of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism

Click here to support the IMPJ

Great Falls Inter-Faith Association
July 27th, 2017
Those present:
Pastor Ray Larson, Benefis Healthcare Stephen Boyd, GF Hebrew Association
Rick Allison, Big Sky Baptist Jim McCormick, Rescue Mission
Beth McKinney, GF Food Banks Leesha Ford, Toby’s House
Jodi Niemeier, Toby’s House Mike Whitney, Calvary Chapel
Kathy Schendel, Echoz Pregnancy Care Matt Firkel, GF Rescue Mission Thrift Store
Mark Davis, Foot of the Cross Christian Book Store

Focus: Great Falls Community Resources & Supporting Services

Pastor Ray opened with a reading from Romans and a prayer.

The following letter was inserted from our first presenter, Mark Davis.
The Foot of the Cross Christian Store.
A non-profit Christian retail store being developed to provide the necessary materials and gifts to enhance the walk of a believer and give understanding to those that are lost.
Fellow followers of Christ,
My name is Mark Davis and I have served as the general manager of the Family Christian Store in Great Falls up to its closing on April 15, 2017.
Before the final days of business, God placed it on my heart to develop another Christian store here in Great Falls which would benefit the community and the Christian charities of our city. To meet this goal, I have been working on gathering the necessary information to determine the initial cost of opening a store of this nature.
Preliminary figures have come in at a little over $189,000.00 and to build in a creditable allotment for increased cost during renovation and stocking, I feel a loan of $200,000.00 would be necessary. Even though I have over 42 years of retail experience, the banks would consider this as a startup project and require a 25% down payment. This means we would have to come up with an investment of $50,000.00 from those interested in seeing a new source of Christian products maintained locally.
The one thing that God made clear to me was that this was not to be for my benefit and all the net profits generated would need to be distributed fairly among those Christian charities in need here in Great Falls. To this end, I am hoping to develop a non-profit board of directors that would be responsible for accepting the applications and determining the appropriate amount of funding to be given to those charities who have applied.
I have already talked with an attorney and accounting firm that would be willing to assist in establishing our corporate structure and by laws.
So I guess the question you will all have is why am I touching base with you? The answer has many facets, but really comes down to three major areas.
1. I would like to get your input on not only what you would like to see carried in the store, but if you really feel as I do, that the need for a tangible source of Christian products is necessary to maintain here in the Great Falls community.
2. I would like to have several of you serve on the board of directors, so that a just and fair assessment can be made on who the funding developed by the store will go to and to make sure that those applying are truly using these funds for the Kingdom of God.
3. I would also ask that you might allow me to present this idea to your churches, so that we would be able to raise the necessary funds to make this store come to fruition.
If any of you have further questions, comments and/or ideas that you would like to pass by me, please feel free to contact me directly.
Mark Davis
406-453-1883 home
406-868-6832 cell davico3@msn.com
PS: We have already created an online donation platform with gofundme.com/foot-of-the-cross if you need more information.
Thank You and be blessed,
Mark Davis

Leesha Ford – Toby’s Crisis House Nursery – Huge Needs in Small Packages
Similar to facilities such as Jeremiah’s Place in Pittsburgh PA, Leesha is trying to open Toby’s Crisis House Nursery in Great Falls. It is a crisis nursery for children 0-6, it reduces the number of children being removed from homes and being placed in Foster Care. Montana is higher than most other states in cases of child abuse, double the amount of shaken baby syndrome per capita. In a community need assessment for a crisis nursery in 2016, only 6 of over 100 parents said they would not use a crisis nursery for anything from destressing to job interviews.
Crisis care would be available 356 days, 24 hours a day. They are hoping to open a temporary shelter in the next 6 months that could house around 6 children at a time, but eventually opening a larger center with 14-16 beds. The staff will consist of both paid employees and volunteers.
This is not a duplication of the children’s receiving home as it is more preventative versus reactive. i.e. children who have already been removed from a home. This nursery would provide help for families in crisis to hopefully avoid the abuse from ever occurring. Most cases when CPS has been called, parents are calling with providers to avoid a crisis situation.
“Mind the Gap” This is a gap in our community that this nursery is hoping to fill. They have many other services on their board of directors and are connected to many community partnerships.
What they are looking for right now is a temporary home, maybe a church basement, or an old Day Care center.
For more info, questions, or to help, visit https://tobyshousemt.org

Pastor Ray adjourned the meeting.

Contributed by Stephen Boyd